Pike County Courthouse overwhelmed by caseload

Saturday

Mar 29, 2014 at 12:01 AM

The Pike County Court of Common Pleas had more than 5,000 court proceedings in 2013, the highest number ever conducted in a year in Pike County, according to a state of the court report released recently that promotes the county's planned courthouse expansion.

BETH BRELJE

The Pike County Court of Common Pleas had more than 5,000 court proceedings in 2013, the highest number ever conducted in a year in Pike County, according to a state of the court report released recently that promotes the county's planned courthouse expansion.

Similar reports in 2009 and 2012 documented growth and changes in the court system since 2004.

The report for 2012-13 provides updates, data and information regarding changes to court procedures and operations over the past two years.

"In addition, this report is being offered as support for the county's current plan for expansion of the court facilities based upon the serious needs of the court, the current availability of money and the proper use of public funds," Pike County President Judge Joseph Kameen wrote.

The population is declining in Pike County, so why are court cases on the rise? New laws and procedures adopted by the state, according to Kameen.

For example, new case law requires the court to conduct an initial hearing with the applicant for a protection-from-abuse order prior to issuing a temporary protection order.

Changes in juvenile delinquency and dependency matters now require more hearings be conducted.

And the court has implemented a mortgage foreclosure diversion program in which an additional judicial proceeding is used to encourage parties to reach resolution of a mortgage default.

These new rules require approximately 400 additional hearings per year, the report said.

Court staffing over the last two years reflected a minor increase, with two part-time positions that became full time, meaning there are now 55 full-time employees.

Criminal docket filings are down slightly, with 1,415 for 2012 and 1,333 in 2013.

Societal changes related to the economic downturn and the prevalence of prescription pain relievers and heroin have resulted in major increases in theft and drug-related charges, Kameen said.

Not only has the number of cases grown, so has their severity.

Since 2004, the Pike court system has handled 11 homicide cases and has conducted six murder trials by jury, including four death penalty cases.

A jury trial in a death penalty case will typically take three to six weeks for both jury selection and trial.

These cases have placed a significant burden on the court from both a budget and facilities perspective, Kameen said.

Civil filings for 2012 and 2013 were double the rate of filings in 2000, when there were 1,692 cases filed.